West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-11-18

lnQlHefenJ Jnan OpieS. LINZ OPieS,
he told the sheriff that it was a ju-
dicial murder. Fischer had his
SLOUGH hat on, but removed il as. he
stepped out of his cell. He was
neatly dressed in a blue flannel
shirt, new dark breeches, and had
been shaved but few hours before.
He nodded to Spies in a pleasant
manner, and asked him in German
how he felt. Spies smiled good-na-
turedly and replied that he felt first
rate. Engel heard the reading of
the death warrant with stolid indif-
ference, and did not utter single
word of comment. A few minutes
later, while standing beside Spies
and Fischer, he said swell p as if
to inquire their feelings. Spies and
Fischer replied by smiling cheerfully
and nodding. Before their arms were
pinioned all Of the men shook hands
with Jailor Folz, and the deputies
surrounding them, all of whom they
had become well acquainted with
during their many months confine-
ment. Parsons warrant was read
last. He seemed to have nerved
himself up to great tension, and
had nothing to say in reply. Like
Engel, he was clad in full suit Of
black dress clothes, even to Prince
Albert coat, he stepped lightly from
his cell when the reading was finish
ed, but drew back involuntary at
the sight of the 8 CHASTITY looking fig
ures bound and shrouded before him.
Again he stepped out, now with a
look of defiance. 'Bind me tight, J"
he said, "and be sure and make no
mistake" Parsons had the deputy
reach under the shroud and ease one
of the straps. "That's better" he
remarked with a smile; now l am
ready" Forming in donble file,
each of the four anarchists, side by
side with a deputy, were now start
ed towards the gallows. At Z min
utes to II Spies passed the first post
of the scaffold and took his place on
the drop. Fischer followed close
behind him. Then came Engel and
after him Parsons. The latter has
aged 30 years since the day, scarce
II months ago, he came into Court
and declared, he was ready to be
tried at once for his life.
THE LAST SCENE.
The moment his feet touched the
scaffold Parsons seemed to complete
lv lose his identity and to feel that
his spirit was no longer part of his
body. He had wrought himself to
an ecstacy of solemn self-gloritica-
tion. Only he-the one American
seemed to realize to the full that
he must die in a manner to impress,
if possible, on all future generations
the thought that he was a martyr
No tragedian that has paced a stage
ever made more marvellous presen-
tation of self-chosen part, perfect
in every detail. The upward turn
of his eyes, his distant, far-away
look, and above all the attitude of
apparent complete resignation, that
every fold of the awkward shrouds
only served to make more distinct
was by far the most striking feature
of the entire gallows picture. The
squat form of Engel alongside, with
stupid, wide-jawed face, made hid
eous contrast. Fischer was head
and shoulders taller than the other
three, and. his bravado was marked
contrast with the steady GOODNESS of
Spies. The latter's exhibition of
quiet, thorough nerve far surpassed
he demeanor Of any of his com
rades. The four deputies, standing
to the rear of the four condemned
men. began without delay to adjust
the ropes, Spies's moose being the
first one placed. He did not appear
to regard it as of any more conse-
ouence than a new linen collar The
knot was slipped down the cord
close against his neck. Spies did
not show tremor, but when the
same process was being carried out
with Fischer he turned and quietly
whispered to the bailiff some sngges-
ton concerning the rope. Engel bit
his underlip hard when his turn
came. Just then young physician,
standing back of Engel, whisper
ingly cracked joke at Engels ear.
Incredible as it may seem, the An
archist laughed outright with the
rope around his neck and while an
other was being fastened on Parsons
by his side. But the grotesque
laugh stopped in single instant.
and Parsons, meekly as saint, cast
his eyes upward at the dangling
line above him. Before the four
Anarchists had an inkling of what
was to be done the white caps were
deftly slipped upon their heads and
drawn quickly down to the necks.
THEIR LAST WORDS.
August Spies was the first of the
four doomed men to make use of his
wits. In a tone of intense bitterness
he Kissed out between his tightly
clenched teeth, There will come a
time when our silence will be more
nowerfnl than the voices they are